8
I believe in my ability to scare all men away.
“I can't," I moan, walking into my apartment.
“Good day to you too," Layla waves from behind her monitor.
“Does your butt hurt from sitting in that chair all day? Like, have you gotten any fresh air in the past week?" I ask her.
“I opened the window just an hour ago as a matter of fact becausethe dog let one rip and I had to air the place out."
I look around for traces of an animal in our apartment since we don't have a pet. Plus, last I heard, Layla was allergic to all animals. “We don't have a dog," I say, stating the obvious.
“Oh, then it must have been me. Damn," she says.
I snarl at her vulgarness. “Sometimes, I feel like I'm living with a guy," I tell her.
“I'm preparing you for your future. You'll thank me someday."
“I look forward to the day when I'm living with someone who lights the place up with gaseous fumes. It's every girl's dream." I'm used to Layla's lack of lady-like behavior, but I wonder if a man is ever turned on by her behavior, or if that is the reason she has trouble hanging on to guys. I can't comment on that subject though. My track record is no better.
“What can't you?" she asks.
“Huh?"
“You walked in and said, ‘I can't.' So, what can't you?"
“I just had a long day."
“That happens after a one-night stand and a hangover."
“Yup, and on that note, I amoff to bed," I tell her.
“No, no, you're not. You have a date in two hours with … hold on onnnnne second … looking, looking … Nick Lane. He will pick you up at 7:30 PM."
I drop my bag, take my coat off, and drop that in place too. I kick my shoes off, flinging each one in her direction. “I told you no. Cancel it."
“I can't. He's a premium customer who purchased a guarantee package, which I have to manipulate, so he doesn't find a wolf-woman behind door number one." She continues clicking around her screen, and I still haven't seen her face since I've walked in.
“Layla, look at me," I tell her.
She leans her head to the side of the computer screen. As always, I notice the dark circles underlining her bottom lashes. “First, I wouldtake a break from the screen. Second, you can't guarantee people perfect matches. Everyone has different desires and opinions on looks. Third, you cannot keep using me as your guarantee. You know why? None of them work out, Layla."
“This is business," she tells me, sounding like Mick.
“This is a lie. Layla, you're messing with people's emotions."
“Yeah well, you're about to be out of a job again which means I need to rake in some dinero for us, so do you want to keep arguing with me?"
Not cool.“I don't want to go," I tell her again.
“I've taken his money and told him the address. We don't have a choice."
“What happened to you asking me before setting this crap up? We talked about this last time you used me as your ‘guarantee.'"
“We need money, Madelyn."
“Which means, you get to stay put behind your computer, and I need to do the dirty work, after working all day?"
